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Following a national search, C. Edward “Ed” Meadows was selected as Pensacola Junior College’s sixth president and began leading the College in June 2008. Meadows had previously served as president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Alabama.
NASA astronaut and PJC alumnus Alan Poindexter took a specially minted, gold PJC medallion with him on a 5.3 million mile Atlantis space shuttle mission in February 2008. In June, he presented the medallion to President Meadows and College officials.
September 2008, marked the sixtieth anniversary of Pensacola Junior College. Celebratory events included cake-cutting ceremonies on each campus and an outdoor, evening concert directed by Don Snowden, longtime Music and Theatre Department Head.
In October 2008, The Corsair captured the General Excellence Award for Florida community college papers for the fifteenth time in eighteen years.
PJC’s Associate of Science degree in Nursing program received full accreditation from the National League for Nursing and Accrediting Commission in 2008.
The Practical Nursing program ranked number one out of all 1,036 programs across the nation for the period of April through September 2008 based upon a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for practical nursing by students who recently completed the program.
In 2008, PJC partnered with the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce to open the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Downtown Center. This incubator program provides a supportive environment to new business startups for high technology and virtual entrepreneurs.
The College’s SkillsUSA student organization was chartered and began hosting the regional secondary and post-secondary skills competitions in 2008.
In November 2008, the College Board of Trustees unanimously voted to pursue the offering of baccalaureate degrees.
PJC’s nationally recognized Smart Simulation Center was designated as a Center of Educational Excellence by Laerdal Medical Corporation in December 2008. PJC was only the second community college in the country to receive this distinction.
In 2008, the District Board of Trustees revised the official College colors of green and white to green, white, and blue. The College’s mascot logo also was revised to a pirate profile designed by PJC alumnus Brett Swanson, son of Paul Swanson, longtime men’s basketball coach.
In April 2009, the Milton Center entry road was renamed Worley Boulevard in honor of Douglas Worley, the Center’s first provost.
Lady Pirate softball players christened their new field on the Pensacola Campus with double-header wins on April 22, 2009. From its beginning in 1981, the softball team had played all home games at the Milton Center.
In August 2009, the Edward M. Chadbourne Library was dedicated after a $9 million renovation and expansion. The spacious facility was named in honor of Chadbourne, a PJC alumnus, who through the Chadbourne Foundation gifted more than $1.2 million for student scholarships.
In fall 2009, photography faculty member Mark Francis was awarded the Anna Lamar Switzer Endowed Teaching Chair.
During the September 2009 investiture ceremony for President Ed Meadows, the District Board of Trustees named all previous Pensacola Junior College presidents as Presidents Emeriti: Henry L. Ashmore, T. Felton Harrison, Horace “Ed” Hartsell, Charles A. Atwell, and G. Thomas Delaino.
G.I. Jobs magazine and website named PJC as a Military Friendly College in 2009 for its benefits to veterans and active duty military.
In December 2009, the Hobbs Center for Teaching Excellence was dedicated on the Pensacola Campus. During the ceremony, Pensacola Junior College President Ed Meadows and University of West Florida President Judy Bense signed a partnership allowing UWF students to join PJC students in benefiting from the state-of-the-art facility. The Hobbs Center, created through a $1 million gift in October 2007, benefits Adult High School and Secondary Education students as well as students enrolled in college-credit classes in order to become teachers.
In January 2010, the District Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the Adult High School to the Collegiate High School to better reflect its purpose.
In Spring 2010, PJC was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. It was one of only four Florida community colleges honored with this national recognition.
WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, won a Bronze Telly Award and a People’s Telly Award in 2010 for its original documentary, “Gulf Islands National Seashore: The Treasure of the Gulf Coast,” narrated by renowned documentarian Ken Burns.
Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Bill Hamilton was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in May 2010. In twenty-three seasons, with twenty at PJC, Hamilton amassed 702 career wins, the most wins in the College’s history.
Astronomy professor Wayne Wooten received the National Astronomical League Award, the highest award in amateur astronomy, in June 2010.
In 2010, the College received approval from the Florida State Board of Education and from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs including a Bachelor of Applied Science in Administration and Supervision and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
On July 1, 2010, the College name officially changed from Pensacola Junior College to Pensacola State College to reflect its expanded mission.
The College broke ground in July 2010 for its $9.4 million South Santa Rosa Center which would become the first College building to be constructed as a certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building.
In 2010, the Milton Center was elevated to Milton Campus status by the State Board of Education.
In January 2011, inaugural classes began for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Administration and Supervision degree programs.
The first President’s Leadership Institute was initiated in 2011 as a rigorous, year-long professional development program open to full-time College employees who were selected through a competitive process.
In March 2011, the Lady Pirates basketball team, coached by Chanda Rigby, ended a 35-1 season with thirty-four straight wins. The Lady Pirates won the FCCAA State Championship for the first time since 1985 and the Panhandle Conference Championship for the first time since 1994, and returned from the National Junior College Athletic Association finals, ranked number three in the nation. Coach Rigby was named Panhandle Conference and FCCAA Coach of the Year.
In June 2011, the Florida Heritage Site Historical Marker was unveiled honoring the original site of the College at the corner of Palafox and Cervantes streets in downtown Pensacola.
For the first time in the College’s history, bachelor’s degrees were awarded at the December 2011 graduation. The seven students receiving BAS and BSN degrees also received specially minted coins recognizing their accomplishments.
In January 2012, Pensacola State opened two new centers – the new 35,000 square-foot South Santa Rosa Center and the extensively renovated Century Center.
The Lady Pirates basketball players made history in March 2012 as the College’s first athletic team to win back-to-back FCSAA State Championships. Coached by Chanda Rigby, the team again ended the season ranked third in the nation.
In summer 2012, Pensacola State College student Camille Nettles was awarded a silver award at the national ADDY awards, becoming the first person – student or professional – in the region to be awarded a national ADDY award.
In July 2012, PSC hosted its first annual Florida Master Teacher Seminar. Thirty-two faculty representing 21 Florida College System institutions attended this unique, retreat-like seminar.
Pensacola State College received the first annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine in November 2012.
The College began 2013 by unveiling a new logo reflecting Pensacola State College’s name change and beautiful coastal area.
In April 2013, PSC hosted the largest-ever Florida SkillsUSA State Conference, drawing more than 6,500 participants.
PSC Visual Arts Professor Bill Clover received the U.S. President’s Call to Service Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing more than 7,000 hours of volunteer service to Manna Food Pantries.
PSC Performing Arts Instructor Kadisha Onalbayeva was named an International Steinway Artist and performed on the legendary Steinway & Sons Horowitz piano in the North American tour.
In September 2013, PSC celebrated its 65th anniversary as the oldest college in the area and launched a new Alumni Affairs office to better serve the College’s more than 96,000 graduates.
PSC welcomed the opening of a stunning 13,500-square-foot facility to house the PACE Center for Girls in fall 2013 – the only PACE Center in Florida located on a college campus.
In June 2014, PSC and the University of West Florida launched the PSC2UWF partnership to better facilitate students who complete an associate degree from PSC and transfer to UWF to complete a bachelor’s degree.
PSC opened the first outdoor gallery of its kind with a 15X20 foot reproduction of the Dutch masterpiece, “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” in summer 2014.
At the national ADDY awards in the summer of 2014, Pensacola State College student Libby Castellani received a gold award and student Blake Jones received a silver award.
The Lamar, Reilly, and Switzer families presented a $1 million gift for construction of the Charles W. Lamar Studio at PSC’s Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts.
Acclaimed National Geographic photographer, Steve McCurry, displayed 74 large format photographs in a first-ever, four-month solo exhibit at the Switzer Gallery.
In January 2015, PSC and the University of West Florida entered a partnership to admit select students from PSC’s Bachelor of Applied Science degree program into UWF’s Master of Business Administration or Master of Science in Administration, Health Care Administration Track.
After 18 years coaching the Lady Pirates softball team, Brenda Pena retired at the end of the 2015 season with 891 wins. She had coached the team since 1997 and held the distinction of being the first athlete signed to play for PSC’s inaugural softball team in 1981.
In June 2015, the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Dining Room was dedicated in memory of Molly McGuire, a beloved restaurateur known for her unmatched hospitality.
Visual Arts Professor Bill Clover began his 50th year teaching at the College in August 2015. An award-winning artist, Clover was the longest serving faculty member in the history of Pensacola State.
In January 2016, PSC received approval from the Florida Board of Education to offer another baccalaureate degree program, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, designed around industry and Department of Homeland Security standards.
In spring 2016, Pensacola State’s Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing program became the first in this region to earn accreditation from two national agencies, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In summer 2016, PSC held the 35th Annual Summer Dance Workshop, drawing more than 100 students from across the nation for the week-long seminar featuring an acclaimed professional dance faculty.
At the 2016 national ADDY awards, Pensacola State College students Amber Sidner and Zach Blessing each won silver awards.
In 2016, dental hygiene faculty member Donna Mathias was awarded the Margaret Moore Nickelsen Endowed Teaching Chair.
In 2016, dental hygiene faculty member Barbara Tarwater was awarded the Mary Ekdahl Smart Endowed Teaching Chair.
In December 2016, the White House TechHire Initiative added Pensacola, with Pensacola State College leading the way, to a national program that promotes access to well-paying technology jobs.
In January 2017, Pensacola State College’s Virtual Tutoring Program was awarded the prestigious national Bellwether Award in the category of Instructional Programs and Services.
In February 2017, Visual Arts students won 52 of 94 ADDY Awards in the regional college and university competition, including 19 gold, 30 silver, and three Judges’ Choice awards. In the Professional category, Mark Hopkins, Graphic Design Instructor, won a silver award.
In February 2017, PSC president Ed Meadows was awarded the Leadership in Education Award during the Greater Pensacola Chamber’s 57th annual PACE Awards.
In November 2017, Military Times included Pensacola State College in its Military Times Best Colleges 2018 list.
In October 2017, Pensacola State and Florida State University Panama City launched Direct Connect – PSC to FSU Panama City, allowing Pensacola State students easier access to the university’s four-year bachelor’s degree program.
In fall 2017, Pensacola State was ranked as one of the best colleges – regionally and nationally – by U.S. News and World Report. Published annually, the report ranks more than 1,400 private and public colleges and universities. In the “Best Colleges 2018 Edition”, Pensacola State tied for 4th in Top Public Schools-Regional Colleges-South – the highest ranked college in Florida. Pensacola State also ranked No. 28 in overall Best Regional Colleges South. Among national colleges and universities, Pensacola State ranked No. 11 in Best Schools for Veterans and No. 147 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
In December 2017, Pensacola State was named a 2018 Military Friendly School by Victory Media – the ninth consecutive year Pensacola State received the designated award for U.S. colleges and universities.
In January 2018, Pensacola State’s Century Mobile Welding Program was named a Top 10 finalist for the 2018 National Bellwether Awards.
In January 2018, PSC was awarded a Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Workforce Training Grant of $1.86 million from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. A collaboration with FloridaWest, the Escambia County School District, and CareerSource Escarosa, the project was intended to increase the attainment of industry-recognized credentials and degrees required to enter and advance in the workforce.
In February 2018, Pensacola State Visual Arts students won 24 gold, 50 silver and two Judges’ Choice awards during the regional college and university ADDY competition.
In February 2018, the Charles W. Lamar Studio at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts opened with a grand celebration to thank the Lamar, Reilly, and Switzer families for their continued support of Pensacola State. Their generous donations allowed Pensacola State’s Visual Arts center to become the preeminent art gallery and institutional facility in Northwest Florida.
In 2018, Pensacola State College Athletic Director Bill Hamilton was inducted into the Florida College System Activities Association Hall of Fame. Hamilton has worked in collegiate athletics for more than 35 years. Twenty-nine of those years have been at Pensacola State where Hamilton was head baseball coach before retiring in 2010. He has served as the College’s athletic director since 1999.
In February 2018, Pensacola State College’s Veterinary Technology program received full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Committee on Veterinary Technical Education and Activities.
On April 6, 2018, Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 75/Military Assistance Bill which authorized Pensacola State College to waive fees for active duty military students using tuition assistance. Florida College System institutions, including Pensacola State College, were allowed to use the U. S. Department of Defense Military Tuition Assistance program to waive any portion of fees for student activities and services, financial aid, technology, and capital improvements.
In April 2018, six Pensacola State College visual arts students earned three gold and five silver awards at the 57th Annual 4th District American Advertising Awards Gala in Orlando. Kelly Bestgen won two gold awards while Alicia Kanuck won one gold award. The two automatically advanced to the 2018 national competition.
In April and May 2018, Pensacola State College hosted the 2018 SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference. The conference, along with the Worlds of Possibilities Career Expo, was held at the Pensacola Bay Center. The event attracted more than 6,000 visitors and had a $3.8 million impact on the local economy. The College also will host the state SkillsUSA conferences in 2018 and 2019.
In June 2018, Pensacola State College received notification from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools – Commission on Colleges of a reaffirmation of accreditation.
In June 2018, PSC graduate Kelly Bestgen was awarded a silver medal at the national American Advertising Awards.
In summer 2018, Pensacola State College students won two gold medals and three bronze medals at the national SkillsUSA competition.
In July 2018, the U.S. Department of Education listed Pensacola State College as a best value among public four-year colleges and universities for the seventh consecutive year. Pensacola State was ranked 37th on the list of institutions cited for the lowest tuition in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency annual report.
In August 2018, the late Carl Duke, former head of Pensacola State’s Visual Arts department, bequeathed a sizable portion of his art collection to the College. More than 400 pieces were donated to Pensacola State with the stipulation the artwork be used to help visual arts students further their education. Pieces from the collection were available during the Bill Clover Memorial Auction held in October in the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts.
In August 2018, Pensacola State College announced plans to offer a Commercial Vehicle Driver program.
In August 2018, Pensacola State College received nearly $40,000 to help students pay for the cost of higher education. A majority of the scholarship dollars ─ $27,220 ─ were donated by Florida Blue, the Helios Education First Generation Scholars program, and Bank of America’s Dream Makers First Generation Scholars program.
September 10-14, 2018, Pensacola State College celebrated the 70th anniversary of its opening with activities on all of the College’s campuses and centers. September 13, 1948, was the official opening date of the College which began in the Aiken Boarding House on the corner of Palafox and Cervantes Streets with 136 students. Today, the College has grown to three campuses – Pensacola, Milton and Warrington – and three centers – Century, Downtown and South Santa Rosa. More than 100,000 graduates have earned degrees or certificates from the College and over 1 million students have been enrolled in credit or non-credit courses during the College’s history.
In September 2018, Pensacola State College student Jennifer Ojeda was selected the Florida College System Chancellor’s Clark Maxwell Scholar of the Month. The award recognizes outstanding Florida College System students who demonstrate leadership skills, academic success or commitment to community service.
In October 2018, Pensacola State College became part of Pathway USA, a collaborative program between the University of South Alabama and select community and state colleges to create a seamless transition to USA for transfer students who earn an associate’s degree. Pensacola State is the first Florida College System institution to join the program.
On October 20, 2018, Pensacola State College’s Century Center held the inaugural Century Classic at Showalter Park in Century. Former PSC and Major League Baseball players, Bill Sadler and Greg Litton, along with Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry were special guests.
In October 2018, Pensacola State College’s Century Center started a community garden for the residents of Century and the surrounding areas.
In November 2018, ground was broken for the $13 million east wing of Pensacola State College’s new STEM building. The east wing will house the College’s cybersecurity programs and the Mathematics Lab. The total cost for the entire facility is projected to be $34 million.
In November 2018, Pensacola State College was among four Florida College System institutions recognized for innovation and excellence by FCS Chancellor Madeline Pumariega and was awarded a 2018 Chancellor’s Best Practice Award for the Virtual Tutoring Program.
In November 2018, Pensacola State College was awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). OVW’s Grant to Reduce Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking on Campus Program supports initiatives to implement comprehensive, coordinated responses to violent crimes on campus through partnerships with victim services providers and justice agencies.
In December 2018, the Gulf Power Foundation pledged $150,000 to Pensacola State College to help establish training for nonprofit organizations’ professional staffs and boards. The first $30,000 donation will be used to develop Certified Fund Raising Executive courses on funding diversification, board development, grant writing, comprehensive campaigns, and donor-centered proposals and presentations.
In December 2018, Pensacola State President Ed Meadows was tapped to join the Governor-elect Ron DeSantis and Lt. Governor-elect Jeanette Nuñez Transition Advisory Committee on Education and Workforce Development.
In January 2019, painting and drawing faculty member Paula Work was awarded the Anna Lamar Switzer Endowed Teaching Chair.
In January 2019, Pensacola State College was named a 2019-2020 Military Friendly School – Bronze by Victory Media.
In January of 2019, U.S. News and World Report ranked PSC Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree #114 in the nation and #10 in Florida in the category of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.
In January 2019, The Kilgore Review, the College’s literary magazine, and The Corsair, PSC’s student newspaper, won numerous awards at the Florida College System Publications Association Awards.
In February 2019, PSC students received 27 gold awards, 29 silver awards, one best-of-show award, and one Judges’ Choice award at the 2019 regional ADDY awards.
In February 2019, 10 of Pensacola State’s most-accomplished Pirates were inducted into the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame. Making up the inaugural class were 2019 inductees ─ Joel Anthony, former Pirates basketball player and two-time NBA champion; the late Mary Bailey, former softball coach whose team won 1988 NJCAA Division I National Championship; William “Bill” Brantley, former PSC professor and longtime Pirates booster; Jim Donovan, former PSC golf coach who led team to 1993 NJCAA Division II National Championship; Charles Fairchild, member of PSC 1962-1963 first championship basketball team and charter member of the PSC Athletic Program Boosters; Dana Gilmore, former softball player and most-decorated female athlete in PSC history; Dennis Lindsey, PSC’s first full-time assistant coach and current executive vice president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz; Greg Litton, former PSC baseball player and 1989 World Series champion; Bob Marlin, former PSC basketball coach who led Pirates to 1993 NJCAA National Championship; and the late William “Bill” McArthur, longtime PSC basketball supporter and table coordinator at College for 42 years.
In March 2019, the University of West Florida and Pensacola State College launched a redesigned and extended PSC2UWF program. PSC2UWF created an accessible, streamlined pathway for students to complete an associate degree at PSC and transfer to UWF to complete a baccalaureate degree. The agreement includes a reverse transfer option for PSC and gives students access to a personalized UWF degree audit to track their progress toward earning a bachelor’s degree while pursuing an associate degree at PSC.
In Spring 2019, five Pensacola State students were selected for the Florida College System’s 2019 All-Florida Academic Team. Cherish French, Taylor Ruppel, Benny Segovia, Brianna Smith and Christian Weidel were recognized for academic excellence, leadership and community service.
In May 2019, eight Pensacola State alumni were recognized at the College’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards. Denis McKinnon Sr., was the recipient of the Spirit of Pensacola Award. Steve Olesky received the Rising Star Award. Lifetime Achievement awards were presented to Gary A. DeLapp and Jarl “J.T.” Young. Hometown Heroes awards were presented to Cherry Fitch and Chip Simmons. Against the Odds awards were presented to Barry Cole and Thomas Vaughn.
In May 2019, the Gary A. DeLapp Alumni Scholarship was established by family, friends, and colleagues of the hotel executive and 2019 Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
In May 2019, the Aspire Higher Scholarship was established by 2019 Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jarl “J.T.” and Deidre Young. The Youngs’ $12,500 pledge gift was matched the PSC Foundation.
In May 2019, Delta Kappa Alpha Fraternity, in partnership with the PSC Alumni Association, agreed to raise funds for the Delta Kappa Alpha Scholarship. Fraternity members raised more than the initial $12,500 goal which was matched by the PSC Alumni Association Scholarship Matching Fund.
In May 2019, the Edward Meadows Meritorious Scholarship was established by PSC President Ed Meadows.
In May 2019, Baptist Health Care Foundation provided $15,000 in scholarship funds for PSC students who are enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician program. The gift is a three-year commitment to fund five $1,000 scholarships each year.
In June 2019, an updating of the College’s Planetarium and Space was completed. Renovations started in 2017 with the repainting of the 40-foot diameter dome. Computerized LED lighting, a state-of-the-art surround sound system, new seating, carpeting, and a computerized control console also were included in the upgrades.
In July 2019, Pensacola State College’s RN to BSN program was ranked at No. 4 in Florida by RegisteredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization.
In August 2019, Monsanto-Solutia retirees donated $30,000 to PSC to establish the Monsanto-Solutia Retirees Endowed Scholarship fund. The scholarships will be awarded to students with a Monsanto, Solutia, or Ascend connection, Ascend employees enrolled in programs to enhance job skills, students enrolled in a health care program, or chemical engineering students.
In August 2019, Pensacola State College received a $100,000 donation from Dona and Milton Usry to establish the Dona and Milton Usry Endowed Accounting Scholarship for students majoring in the field of accounting.
In August 2019, Pensacola State College alumnus Denis McKinnon Sr., along with his son, Denis McKinnon Jr., and Wade Wilson – on behalf of Veterans National Homecare – donated $5,000 in scholarship funds to Pensacola State for first-generation-in-college students. The organization also will donate $5,000 in 2020 and 2021.
In September 2019, the College started a Commercial Vehicle Driver Career Certificate Program. Students who complete the 320-hour course are equipped to earn a Florida Class A Commercial Driver’s License.
In September 2019, the Irish Politicians Club, a social club based at McGuire’s Irish Pub, donated $35,000 to the College for the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship fund which began in June 2015. McGuire Martin also donated $25,000 to the scholarship fund named for his late wife, Molly McGuire, who died in 2014. The endowment principal has grown to more than $300,000.
In September 2019, Sandy Sansing Universal Scholars were announced. The 2019 scholars were Cynthia Aceto, Elizabeth Askfeldt, Tabitha Cooper, Bethel Goodwin, Darriell Jones, Laura Shiver, Amelia Maltibia, Regina Young, and Rajah Zulla.
In October 2019, Pensacola State College was named the beneficiary of a $2.4 million Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT) established by Ron and Jan Miller. Based upon the terms and conditions of the trust agreement, the PSC Foundation is the sole beneficiary of the remainder in the trust.
In November 2019, Military Times included Pensacola State College in its 2020 Best for Vets Schools list. The College was 100th among 134 ranked four-year universities and colleges. Academic achievement rates and other factors that make colleges and universities a good fit for service members, veterans, and their families also are considered in the list.
In November 2019, The Corsair student newspaper placed second in the General Excellence category and won several other awards at the 2019 Florida College System Publications Awards Conference. The Kilgore Review, the literary magazine, also placed second in the General Excellence category and won numerous other awards.
During fall 2019, new Pensacola State College digital signs were installed at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Underwood Street on the Pensacola campus and on U.S. 98 on the Warrington campus.
In January 2020, Pensacola State College renamed the PSC Board of Trustees Room the Dona and Milton Usry Board Room. A portrait of the Usrys also was unveiled in the College’s Hall of Honor in Building 7. In August 2019, the Usrys donated $100,000 to the College to establish the Dona and Milton Usry Endowed Accounting Scholarship.
In January 2020, U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2020 Edition” ranked the College’s online BSN program as third among Florida College System institutions. The Pensacola State program also tied for 9th among Florida colleges and universities and was ranked 73rd in the United States.
In February 2020, five legends were inducted into the Pensacola State College’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees were Doug Bates, former baseball player, recipient of 1998 Lea Plarski Award and past president of the PSC Foundation; Vicki Carson, former Lady Pirates women’s basketball coach whose team won 1985 FCAA State Championship and was named 1985 FCAA Coach of the Year; Dr. Donn Peery, former athletic director and military veteran; Brenda Peña, former softball player, former head softball coach, and 2003 Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year; and Dan Shugart, longtime PSC athletic supporter and WEAR-TV 3 sports director.
In February 2020, Pensacola State College was acknowledged as a top school for military veterans. The College was named one of 625 “Military Friendly Schools” for 2020-2021 by VIQTORY, a veteran-owned company that connects former military members to civilian employment and educational opportunities.
In January 2020, Pensacola State College renamed the PSC Board of Trustees Room the Dona and Milton Usry Board Room. A portrait of the Usrys also was unveiled in the College’s Hall of Honor in Building 7. In 2019, the Usrys donated $100,000 to the College to establish the Dona and Milton Usry Endowed Accounting Scholarship.
In January 2020, Pensacola State College’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program was listed among the best in Florida and nation by U.S. News and World Report for the second consecutive year. In the “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2020 Edition” listing, the College’s online BSN program was ranked third among Florida College System institutions. Pensacola State also tied for 9th with Florida Atlantic University among Florida colleges and universities and was ranked 73rd in the United States.
In January 2020, Pen Air Federal Credit Union donated $5,000 to the Pensacola State College Scholarship Fund in a ceremony held in the Pen Air Federal Credit Union Room located in Chadbourne Library. The scholarship donation is a continuation of the credit union’s support of PSC. In November 2016, Pen Air gifted PSC with a $100,000 contribution to establish the Pen Air Federal Credit Union Endowed Scholarship.
In February 2020, five legends were inducted into the Pensacola State College’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2020 inductees were Doug Bates, former baseball player, recipient of 1998 Lea Plarski Award and past president of the PSC Foundation; Vicki Carson, former Lady Pirates women’s basketball coach whose team won 1985 FCAA State Championship and was named 1985 FCAA Coach of the Year; Dr. Donn Peery, former athletic director and military veteran; Brenda Peña, former softball player, former head softball coach, and 2003 Panhandle Conference Coach of the Year; and Dan Shugart, longtime PSC athletic supporter and WEAR-TV 3 sports director.
In February 2020, Pensacola State College was acknowledged as a top school for military veterans. The College was named one of 625 “Military Friendly Schools” for 2020-2021 by VIQTORY, a veteran-owned company that connects former military members to civilian employment and educational opportunities.
In February 2020, Pensacola State College graphic design student Jay Dunham won a gold and silver American Advertising Awards at the national level in 2020.
He also won a Judges Award, seven gold and eight silver ADDYs at the local level. Durham’s accolades were among the 95 awards – 34 gold, 58 silver and 3 Judges Award – the College received at the February 2020 ADDY ceremony.
Courtney Goodman and Lam Nguyen also Judges Awards at the local level.
Other Pensacola State College winners were: Gold Medal: Courtney Goodman, Sarah Goolsby, Devin Bonner, Sandra Morris, Darwin Martinez, Kayla Wood, Bailey Walker, Mindy Cramlet, Omar A. Forty, Derek J. Breaux, Karli Kimmons, Alana Cox, Lindsi Hicks, Cheryl Sturges, Katherine Ford, Aaron Cleveland, Kylie Crowell, and Elizabeth Carver. Silver Medal: Amanda Schmidt, Renee Bates, Jared Barrow, Kristian Breeze, Spencer B. Clark, Goodman, Eileen Torres, Nick Bridges, Daniela de Castro Sucre, Goolsby, Nguyen, Bonner, Morris, Martinez, Wood, Walker, Cramlet, Breaux, Kimmon, and Crowell. Some students won multiple awards.
In the professional category, Zachary Blessing, a PSC graduate and graphic designer in the PSC Marketing and Information Department, won three silver medals.
At the District 4 level, Dunham won a Best of Show award, three gold and three silver medals. Overall, five PSC students won seven gold ADDYs and several silvers at the competition which includes colleges and universities in Florida and the Caribbean.
Other winners were Gold Medals Kylie Crowell, Darwin Martinez, Devin Bonner and Derek Breaux. Other silver awards went to Sandra Morris and Alana Cox.
In March, April, and May 2020, PSC moved to online classes for students and remote work for many employees due to COVID-19 pandemic.
In February and Spring 2020, PSC graphic design student Jay Durham won a gold and silver ADDY at the national level. PSC won 95 awards – 34 gold, 58 silver and 3 Judges Award – at the local competition held in February.
Spring 2020, five Pensacola State College students were selected to the 2020 All-Florida Academic Team by the Florida College System. Sydney Bates, Kameron Hoak, Faith Thompson, Miriam Villa, and Emily Ward were recognized for academic excellence, leadership, and community service.
In April 2020, Pensacola State student Julie Riser was one of three national winners of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s (NISOD) Student Essay Contest. Riser wrote an essay on Penny Taylor, the TRIO Student Support Services Administrative Assistant/Retention Specialist. Riser and Taylor both received $1,000 and the College received a complimentary NISOD membership. A Robinson Honors Program student, Riser also worked as a TRIO tutor.
In May 2020, Pensacola State College recognized its 2020 Academy of Teaching Excellence inductees. They were Andrew Barbero, Amber Carey, Domenick Grasso and Deborah Woods. The Academy of Teaching Excellence also has named Lauren Rogers as Outstanding New Faculty Member.
In summer 2020, Pensacola State College implemented Phase 1 of Workday, an Enterprise Resource Planning system to replace the College’s Financial Records System and Student System. College administrators, faculty and staff underwent training throughout June. On July 1, the College’s Financial Records System and Payroll and Human Resource package went live. The Phase 2 implementation began in Fall 2020 and started the process of replacing the Student Records System.
In July 2020, PSC launched JobX website, a free job board where outside employers can post employment opportunities. The site also includes wages, hours, job location, number of openings and, in some cases, an actual link to a job application. Hourly wages also are listed. Employers who have posted listings on the site include Community Health of Northwest Florida, Creative School Age Child Care, Domino’s Pizza, Episcopal Day School, Firehouse Subs, Gulf States Automation, Keegan Staffing, Landrum HR, My Florida House, Nilssen Orthopedics, Santa Rosa County, TLC Caregivers and other employees.
In midyear 2020, Pensacola State College’s SkillsUSA chapter was named a 2020 Gold Medal Chapter of Distinction. The SkillsUSA Chapter Excellence Program honors chapter achievement relative to the organization’s framework of developing personal, workplace, and technical skills. Chapters achieve status as a Quality Chapter – Bronze, Silver, or Gold Medal Chapter of Distinction. The highest chapter honor is the Model of Excellence designation.
Also, four PSC employees were recognized for their service to the College and SkillsUSA: Rebecca Gunter, an office assistant in the Student and Program Outreach Department, received the SkillsUSA Honorary Life Award of the Year; Theresa Hoang, an office assistant in the Student and Program Outreach Department, was named Alumni of the Year for a second year; Sonja McCall-Strehlow, coordinator of the massage therapy program and facial specialty program, received the SkillsUSA Region 1 Advisor of the Year Award; and Jennifer Ponson was named the SkillsUSA Florida Region 1 Champion of the Year.
In August 2020, PSC safely held nursing pinnings and graduation ceremonies despite COVID-19. The ceremonies were held at the Pensacola Bay Center.
In August 2020, the Estate of the late Ralph and Elizabeth “Libby” Ruyle gifted approximately $140,000 to the College. Ralph Ruyle, a former Pensacola State math instructor, died in 2014. His wife, Libby, passed away in August 2020. The couple were members of the PSC Bell Tower Heritage Society and recorded their intent to make a gift to the College to memorialize their love of the institution.
Late summer 2020, the $15 million Baars Technology Building was completed. The 23,389-square-foot facility will be home to cybersecurity, computer science, and mathematics. It replaced the 60-year-old Mary Ellison Baars building which was the first facility constructed on the Pensacola campus in 1956. It was named after the Baars family matriarch in recognition of the Baars donating the property to the College.
In September 2020, the College received a second $5,000 donation from Veterans National Homecare for first-generation-in-college scholarships. Denis McKinnon Sr., Denis McKinnon Jr., and Wade Wilson presented the donation to the College.
In September 2020, more than 50 Pensacola State student-athletes and coaches came to the rescue of local families whose homes and properties were devastated by Hurricane Sally. The category 2 hurricane hit the Florida Panhandle and coastal Alabama on Sept. 16, bringing wind, rain, and storm surge. Members of PSC Athletics helped at least 25 residents clear debris, remove fallen tree limbs, waterlogged furnishings and other items from their property.
In September 2020, U.S. News and World Report ranked PSC among the nation’s best postsecondary institutions in its 2021 annual report. The College was named the No. 1 Top Performer on Social Mobility and No. 2 in Least Debt in the Regional Colleges South category in the publication’s “Best Colleges 2021 Edition.” In the All Regional Colleges category, PSC ranked No. 5 in Least Debt. Also, in the Regional Colleges South category, Pensacola State was listed No. 11 in the Top Public Schools category. The College also ranked No. 30 in the Best Regional Colleges South group among public and private schools. And PSC scored 51 percent in the Economic Diversity Score category which evaluates students from different economic backgrounds. Published annually, the 2021 report ranked more than 1,400 private and public colleges and universities.
In September 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded a $1.6 million grant to PSC to help construct a Commercial Vehicle Driver training facility in the Santa Rosa County industrial park. Currently, the truck driving program operates near Blue Angel Recreation Park. The new facility is expected to open in summer 2021. The grant was issued through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and must be matched with $2.9 million in local funds.
In September 2020, PSC was awarded a $726,388 grant to help students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) fields. The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund will provide $105,000 for CTE scholarships and approximately $500,000 for new, state-of-the-art equipment to bolster a variety of the College’s CTE programs which lead to industry credentialing in high-demand fields. The GEER Fund is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
In September 2020, TRIO-Student Support Services received a five-year $1.89 million grant while TRIO-Veterans Student Support Services received a five-year $1.25 million grant.
In October 2020, former Escambia County District 2 Commissioner Gene Valentino and his wife, Maureen, gifted property in Chumuckla appraised at $250,000, as well as an additional $20,000, to PSC to support the Entrepreneurial Program. The College will eventually sell the 4-acre-plus property and use the funds to establish an endowed scholarship and program support for Business Entrepreneurship students in the Valentino name. Students also will participate in an entrepreneurship competition for the scholarships each year.
On Oct. 14, 2020, PSC honored the Valentinos by naming a lecture hall in Building 10 on the Pensacola campus in their honor. The naming ceremony included the unveiling of a portrait of the couple inside the Gene and Maureen Valentino Lecture Hall.
In October 2020, more than $90,000 was raised at PSC’s 12th annual Day of Clays held at the Santa Rosa Shooting Center in Pace. Presented by Trane, over 111 shooters took part in the fundraiser to support students and programs through the PSC Foundation Fund for Excellence.
In October, PSC’s Milton campus debuted a new 3.1 mile cross-country course during the 49th annual Washington High School Wildcat Invitational. The PSC cross country team now has its own course to host competitions. PSC employee Richard Whatley Sr., conceived of the course, and with help from PSC cross country coach Julie Burger. Washington High School cross country coaches Brian Quinn and Krystal Falkler cleaned and marked the course.
In October 2020, Sandy Sansing enjoyed lunch with several of the 33 PSC students who received a Sansing Universal Scholarship for the 2020 academic year. Since its establishment in 2002, the Sandy Sansing Universal Scholarship has awarded, along with matching funds, nearly $500,000 to 1,126 PSC students. The scholarships cover tuition, fees, and books up to $1,500.
In October 2020, PSC recognized its 2020 Employees of the Year. The Professional Employees of the Year were Ella Barker, Butch Branch, Paul Chaney, Michael Johnston, and Patrice Whitten. The 2020 Career Service Employees of the Year were Shannon Crawford, Ricky Enfinger, Teresa Jackson, and Mel Miner.
In November 2020, more than $23,000 was raised during the Pensacola State College Alumni Association’s Annual Quail Hunt and Pheasant Shoot held Nov. 6 and 7 at Dennis Lake Wing Club in Bay Minette, Alabama. Nine participants turned out for the quail hunt that was held Nov. 6. On Nov. 7, overnight guests joined a fresh group of hunters at the venue’s clubhouse for the pheasant shoot. Overall, nearly 30 hunters participated in the shoot.
In November 2020, Pensacola State College’s Medical Assistant Program was named one of the best in Florida by medicalassistnatadvice.com. PSC’s program was ranked No. 2 out of 91 Medical Assisting Programs in the state by the online resource. The rankings were based on graduation rate, net price, admission rate, retention rate, number of enrolled students, and the reputation of the college. PSC’s one-year vocational certificate program prepares students for employment in physicians’ offices, clinics, offices of other health practitioners, and hospitals.
In November 2020, McGuire’s Irish Pub and members of the Irish Politicians Club donated $50,350 to the Molly McGuire Culinary Arts Endowed Scholarship Fund. With the latest donation, the endowment principal increased to $350,350, making it the College’s sixth-largest endowed scholarship.
In November 2020, the Gulf Power Foundation presented a $30,000 check to the Pensacola State College Foundation that is just part of the company’s pledge contribution to the PSC Nonprofit Center for Excellence and Philanthropy, a training center for nonprofit organizations. The check was the third $30,000 payment of Gulf Power’s $150,000 commitment to the Nonprofit Center, which was established in 2019.
In November 2020, PSC was one of the top-performing schools in the Florida College System. The College exceeded the FCS average in 23 of 30 evaluated metrics that measure student success and graduation rates, enrollment, transfer performance, college preparatory outcome rates, and job placement of students who graduate or complete educational programs.
In December 2020, the first Change Maker Program donated $175,000 to PSC for student scholarships. Founded by Michael and Jo-Ann Price, the couple initially contributed $50,0000 to the program. The Prices are major supporters of the College’s annual Holiday Experience which was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. The couple met with PSC President Ed Meadows and PSC Foundation Executive Director Andrea Krieger to discuss a way to bolster scholarships for students who have lost jobs and incomes due to the pandemic.
That meeting resulted in the creation of the Change Maker program, where the Prices encouraged College administrators to use their gift to inspire four other donors to each give $10,000 which they matched. And to encourage more participation, the Prices suggested using the final $10,000 to match $1,000 gifts from 10 other donors for universal scholarships.
Throughout 2020, the Lou Ross Center and Hartsell Arena received facelifts in 2020 and much-needed updates. The arena was repainted, and graphics, paint and branding were added throughout the hallways to tie into the improvements that were made in the lobby for the unveiling of the 2019 Hall of Fame display.
In January 2021, U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs 2021 Edition,” ranked Pensacola State’s online BSN program second among Florida College System institutions. The also College tied for 8th among all Florida colleges and universities and was ranked 53rd in the U.S. by the publication. U.S. News and World Report also ranked the College 37th in the 2021 Best Online Bachelor’s Program for Veterans category.
February 2021, Pensacola State College graphic design and photography students won three Judges Choice Awards and 17 gold and 28 silver American Advertising Awards at the local level at a virtual gala. Judges Choice Awards winners were Jennifer Manare and Danny Nguyen. Both entries also received gold ADDYs.
Gold ADDY winners were Joshua Clark, Spencer Clark, Alana Cox, Jay Dunham, Courtney Goodman (3), Lindsi Hicks (3), Miranda Magha, Manare, Anthony McGriff, Nyugen (2), and Amanda Schmidt.
Silver ADDY winners were Husna Abubakar (2), Jared Barrow (2), Amber Beasley, Elisabeth Carver, Joshua Clark, Spencer Clark (2), Alana Cox (2), Kylie Crowell, Courtney Goodman (5), Jennifer Manare, Amelia Moore, Sandra Moore, Danny Nguyen, Amanda Schmidt (2), Cheryl Sturges, Eileen Medina Torres (3), and Brandon White.
Zack Blessing, a 2017 PSC graduate and graphic designer in the College’s Marketing and Information Department, also won an ADDY for freelance work.
In April 2021, Pensacola State College unveiled its new state-of-the-art Baars Technology Building during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The $15 million ─ 23,839-square-foot ─ two-story facility will be home to the College’s STEM programs, including cybersecurity, mathematics, computer science, and other high-tech fields of study. It replaces the Mary Ellison Baars Building. Demolished in January 2019, the Mary Ellison Baars Building was 60 years old and the College’s oldest structure. It was named in honor of the Baars family matriarch for donating property to the College.
In April 2021, the College’s SkillsUSA chapter won four gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the organization’s Florida 2021 Virtual State Leadership and Skills Conference. The winners were:
Gold: Patrick Newburn, Commercial Banking; Team A – James A. Martin and Keenan Stoughton, MRE Challenge; Amelia Moore, Photography; and Ashlyn Cain, Restaurant Service.
Silver: Beth Burgeson, Commercial Banking, and Frederick Hallman, Photography.
Bronze: Lisa Wicks, Commercial Banking; Carolyn Lungaro, Culinary Arts; Team A – LaTeisha Hughes and model India Malone; Esthetics; and Enrique Viveros, Job Interview.
Advisors were Jimmie D. Langham, Commercial Banking, Culinary Arts and MRE Challenge; Sonja McCall-Strehlow, Esthetics; Mark Francis, Job Interview and Photography; and Joni Verlin, Restaurant Service.
In April 2021, PSC cybersecurity student Allison Dugas was one of three national winners of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development’s (NISOD) Student Essay Contest. Dugas’ essay, “A Woman of Letters,” was about Amber Carey, PSC Spanish instructor and the Robinson Honors Program coordinator.
Dugas works for Carey as a student assistant in the History, Languages and Social Sciences Department and assists Carey with the Robinson Honors Program. Both Dugas and Carey, received $1,000 from NISOD, and the College received a complimentary membership.
Spring 2021, six Pensacola State College students were named to the 2021 All-Florida Academic Team. Stefhan Al-Bayaty, Kevin Huang, Brandi Lowery, Shayna Payne, Julia Riser, and Steven Wood were among 137 Florida College System students selected for the team.
